Overview
Established in 1986, the College of Forestry at Kerala Agricultural University in Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, has grown into one of India’s premier institutions in forestry education and research. Initially part of the Faculty of Agriculture, it became the nucleus of a standalone Faculty of Forestry in 2012, reflecting the growing significance and specialization of forestry sciences.
Mission, Vision & Mandate
The college was founded with a broad mandate: to develop skilled human resources in disciplines such as silviculture, agroforestry, forest management, tree breeding, wildlife sciences, and wood science. It aspires to:
- Achieve excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across forestry disciplines.
- Excel in both basic and applied research, addressing regional and tropical forestry challenges.
- Supply technically qualified professionals to forestry-related agencies.
- Provide scientific and practical guidance to stakeholders, making forestry a viable and sustainable enterprise.
- Promote public awareness regarding forest significance and scientific forestry.
Academic Programs
The college offers a range of programs across degree levels:
- Undergraduate: B.Sc. (Hons.) in Forestry—four-year program launched in 1986.
- Postgraduate: M.Sc. Forestry programs with specializations including:
- Silviculture & Agroforestry
- Forest Biology & Tree Improvement
- Forest Products & Utilisation
- Forest Resource Management
- Wildlife Sciences (including Wildlife Management).
- Doctoral: Ph.D. programs in the same specialized streams.
From its inception until 2013, the college has successfully graduated around 284 B.Sc. and 99 M.Sc. students. Ph.D. programs commenced in 2010, completing its academic offerings.
Departments
Teaching and research efforts are organized across five statutory departments:
- Silviculture and Agroforestry
- Forest Biology and Tree Improvement
- Natural Resource Management
- Forest Products and Utilisation
- Wildlife Sciences.
Research, Recognition & Achievements
Over the years, the college has made significant strides academically and in research:
- It has become one of the leading forestry colleges in India, with students earning numerous ICAR Junior Research Fellowships and alumni joining the Indian Forest Service and Indian Administrative Service.
- Alumni have secured distinguished international scholarships, such as the Erasmus Mundus fellowship.
- Faculty members have received national and international recognitions.
- The ICFRE (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) rated it among the top two forestry colleges in India with an A** rating in 2009, and later with an A++ rating.
- In 2010–11, the college celebrated its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of dedication to forestry sciences.
- The institution continues with the vision of evolving into an international centre of excellence in tropical forest sciences.
Campus & Environment
Situated in Vellanikkara, a verdant suburb of Thrissur teeming with greenery and forested cover, the college offers a serene and academically rich environment ideal for forest sciences studies.